How many such experiences hast thou of thyself? hast thou not often found it thus? must thou not acknowledge it hath been thus again and again? Have not these been sometimes thy groans before the Lord, at such times when thou hast felt thyself in a better frame; O that it might be ever thus? O that this might hold, that I might never sink into this earthliness, that I might never swell with this froth or fury again? O this slippery and unstable heart; I fear it, I doubt how it will serve me; if the world, or this flesh do but call me away; if any temptation comes, either to court me, or to cross me, I fear that all this calm and serenity will quickly become clouds and tempests: speak, Christian, hath it not been thus many a time? O what a weak thing art thou!
Richard Alleine. The World Conquered.
